Thursday, April 21, 2016

Merkel faces rebellion over prosecution of comedian accused of insulting Erdogan

Angela Merkel is facing a government rebellion over herdecision to allow a German comedian to be prosecuted for insulting the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

A senior minister is reportedly planning to put a bill before parliament to abolish Germany’s lese-majeste law before the case can even come to court.

Heiko Maas, the justice minister, has already drawn up legislation and plans to put it before parliament within days, according to the Rheinische Post newspaper.

Jan Böhmermann faces up to five years in prison under the controversial law for a satirical poem he read out on television about Mr Erdogan .... http://www.telegraph.co.uk